Towel dispenser with covered clean towel receptacle

ABSTRACT

A continuous towel dispensing cabinet includes an open-bottom housing having associated therewith a loop of towel that extends along an exit path to an exposed position accessible to a user and thence along a return path into the housing, an open-top clean towel receptacle mounted in the bottom of the housing for pivotal movement between dispensing and loading positions, dispensing apparatus and soiled towel takeup means mounted in the housing overlying the receptacle for respectively feeding clean towel to the exit path and retracting soiled towel from the return path, and a cover hingedly mounted on the rear wall of the receptacle for pivotal movement between a closed configuration substantially closing the open top of the receptacle and an open configuration to facilitate loading the receptacle.

[151 3,637,275 Jan. 25, 1972 United States Patent Bahnsen Primdry Examiner-James C. Mitchell [54] TOWEL DISPENSER WITH COVERED CLEAN TOWEL RECEPTACLE AltorneyPrangley, Clayton, Mullm, Dlthmar & Vogel [72] Inventor: Erwin B. Bahnsen, Oakbrook, Ill.

Assigneei Steiner American Corporation, Salt Lake A continuous towel dispensing cabinet includes an open-bot- City, Utah tom housing having associated therewith a loop of towel that extends along an exit path to an exposed position accessible to n path into the housing, an

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....312 38 Bahnsen 12132 9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 2,899,251 8/l959 Birr.......... 3,323,848 6/1967 SHEET 10F 3 PATENTED JANZS ISYZ FIG.!

INVENTOR ERW/N B. BAHNSEN 7 7 f V ATTYS.

PATENTED JANZS 1912 PAIENTEU Jmzsmz 3,637,275

sum aur 3 TOWEL DISPENSER WITH COVERED CLEAN TOWEL RECEPTACLE The present invention relates generally to improvements in dispensing cabinets and more particularly to improvements in the operation of towel-dispensing cabinets of the continuous towel type.

It is a general object of this invention to provide means for preventing contamination of the clean towel supply in a dispensing cabinet by particles carried by the soiled towel.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a towel dispenser of the continuous type comprising a housing having an opening therein and having associated therewith a loop of towel that extends along an exit path through the opening to an exposed position accessible to a user and thence along a return path into the housing, an open-top receptacle mounted in the housing for accommodating therein a supply of clean towel, towel-dispensing apparatus mounted in the housing for dispensing clean towel from the receptacle through the opening into the loop along the exit path when the accessible portion of the loop is pulled by a user, loop takeup means mounted in the housing and coupled to the dispensing apparatus for retracting and storing soiled towel from the return path, the takeup means and a portion of the return path overlying a portion of the open-top receptacle, and a receptacle guard mounted in the housing and disposed in use between the takeup means and the receptacle and being shapedand arranged substantially to close at least the portion of the receptacle underlying the takeup means and the adjacent portion of the return path, whereby particles which may be carried by the soiled towel along the return path to the takeup means are prevented from falling into the receptacle and contaminating the clean towel therein.

In connection with the foregoing object, a further object of this invention is to provide a towel dispenser of the type set forth wherein the receptacle is movable between a dispensing position within the housing and a loading position extending outwardly from the housing and wherein the receptacle cover is movable between a closed configuration substantially closing the open top of the receptacle and an open configuration for facilitating loading clean towel into the receptacle.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a towel dispenser of the continuous type comprising a housing having an opening therein and having associated therewith a loop of towel that extends along an exit path through the opening to an exposed position accessible to a user and thence along a return path into the housing, an open-top receptacle mounted in the housing for accommodating therein a supply of clean towel, a plurality of smoothing members carried by the housing adjacent to the rear of the receptacle and cooperating to define a sinuous portion of the return path for engaging and smoothing the soiled towel, toweldispensing apparatus mounted in the housing for dispensing clean towel from the receptacle through the opening into the loop along the exit path when the accessible portion of the loop is pulled by a user, loop takeup means mounted in the housing and coupled to the dispensing apparatus for retracting and storing soiled towel from the return path, the takeup means and a portion of the return path overlying a portion of the open-top receptacle, a shield member mounted in the housing adjacent to the dispensing apparatus and the takeup means and shaped and arranged to substantially separate the dispensing apparatus and the takeup means from each other and from the receptacle, and a receptacle guard mounted in the housing and disposed in use between the takeup means and the open-top receptacle and being shaped and arranged to substantially close at least the portion of said receptacle adjacent to the smoothing members and underlying the takeup means and the adjacent portion of the return path, whereby particles which may be carried by the soiled towel along the return path to the takeup means and loosened by the smoothing members are prevented from falling into the receptacle and contaminating the clean towel therein.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is a further ob ject, of this invention to provide a towel dispenser of the type set forth wherein the open-top receptacle includes a generally U-shaped panel forming front and rear and bottom walls of the receptacle and being closed at the opposite ends thereof by a pair of upstanding end walls, and two inclined flanges, respectively integral with and extending downwardly and outwardly from the upper edge of each of said receptacle end walls, and wherein the receptacle guard includes a top panel spanning the receptacle end walls and a pair of opposed side panels respectively depending from the opposite side edges of the top panel substantially parallel to each other, the receptacle guard being disposed in use betweenthe takeup means and the open top of the receptacle with the side panels being respectively substantially in alignment with the receptacle end walls, and a pair of flanges respectively integral with and extending outwardly and downwardly from the bottom edges of the side panels and disposed in use in overlapping relationship with the flanges on the receptacle end walls.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of this invention to provide a towel dispenser of the type set forth wherein the receptacle is movable between a dispensing position within the housing and a loading position extending outwardly from the housing and wherein the receptacle cover is movable between a closed configuration substantially closing the open top of the receptacle and an open configuration for facilitating loading clean towel into the receptacle.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the dispensing cabinet of the present invention with the right sidewall (as viewed from the front) removed to more clearly illustrate the interior of the cabinet;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the dispensing cabinet shown in FIG. 1 with the right sidewall removed and showing the upper cabinet door in the open position thereof, the towel receptacle in the loading position thereof and the receptacle cover in the open configuration thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the dispensing cabinet of FIG. 1 with the upper door of the cabinet and the front wall of the receptacle being broken away in order to more clearly illustrate the interior of the cabinet.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a toweldispensing cabinet according to the present invention. Certain portions of the internal mechanism of the dispensing cabinet have been deleted from the drawing for purposes of clarity, all of the deleted portions being disclosed in detail in US. Pat. No. 2,899,251, issued to R. G. Birr Aug. 1 l, I959, the disclosure of which patent is incorporated herein by reference. The towel-dispensing cabinet of this invention includes a housing, generally designated by the numeral 10, having a rear wall 11 and a pair of opposed sidewalls l2 and 13, all of sheet metal and fabricated in one piece. The top front corners of the sidewalls l2 and 13 are rounded as at 12a. A top wall 14 closes the upper end of the housing 10 and includes a downwardly extending rear flange 15 secured to an inwardly offset flange 16 at the upper edge of the rear wall 11 in overlapping relationship therewith. A pair of side flanges l7 and 18 respectively depend from the side edges of the top wall 14 and are respectively secured to inwardly offset flanges 19 at the upper edges of the sidewalls l2 and 13 in overlapping relationship therewith. The forward portion of the top and the upper portion of the front of the housing 10 is formed as a single upper door 20 pivotally mounted on the front edge of the top wall 14 by hinges 21. The upper door 20 is shaped complementary to the adjacent rounded portion of the sidewalls l2 and 13 and includes a front panel 22 and a pair of side flanges 23 extending inwardly from the side edges of the front panel 22 and cooperating respectively with the ofiset flanges 19 formed in the sidewalls l2 and 13. The lower end of the front panel 22 is bent inwardly and upwardly to form an arcuate flange 24 along the bottom edge of the upper door 20. Mounted on the inner surface of the rear wall 11 intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof is a horizontally disposed channel-shaped member, generally designated by the numeral 30, and including a bight portion 31 disposed parallel to the rear wall 1 1 and fastened thereto by appropriate means. Integral with the upper edge of the bight 31 and extending forwardly therefrom, and substantially normal thereto is a relatively long upper leg 32, the forward end thereof folded back to form a rounded edge 33. Integral with the lower edge of the bight 31 and extending forwardly and upwardly therefrom is a relatively short lower leg 34 having the forward end thereof folded back to form a rounded edge 35. The purpose of the channel member 30 will be described more fully hereinafter.

Mounted on the inner surface of the sidewall 12 intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof is an upright sideplate, generally designated by the numeral 40, substantially parallel to the sidewall 12 and provided with a top outwardly turned flange 41 and a front outwardly turned flange 42 and a rear flange 43 and a bottom outwardly turned flange 44. The top and bottom outwardly turned flanges 41 and 44 are secured at the respectively front ends thereof to the upper and lower edges of the front flange 42 in order to further stiffen the sideplate 40. Mounted on the inner surface of the sidewall 13 substantially parallel thereto is a sideplate, generally designated by the numeral 45, and having a top outwardly turned flange 46, a front outwardly turned flange 47, a rear flange 48 and a bottom outwardly turned flange 49. The top and bottom outwardly turned flanges 46 and 49 are secured at the respective front ends thereof to the upper and lower ends of the front flanges 47 in order to further stiffen the side frame 45. The sideplates 40 and 45 are each secured to the housing by suitable means (not shown) described in detail in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 2,899,251. Depending from the lower edge of each of the sideplates 40 and 45 is an attachment tab 460 received in a corresponding slot in the upper leg 32 of the channel-shaped member 30 to further assist in supporting the sideplates 40 and 45.

Mounted between the sideplates 40 and 45 toward the front of the housing 10 is a measuring roll 50, the outer surface of the measuring roll 50 being covered with a suitable friction material 51 such as sandpaper, emery cloth or the like to provide improved frictional engagement of the surface of the measuring roll 50 with the towel to be dispensed, as will be described more fully hereinafter. Mounted between the sideplates 40 and 45 adjacent to the measuring roll 50 and slightly forwardly thereof is a pinch roll 55 supported at the opposite ends thereof by trunnions 56 in bearing members 57. The bearing members 57 are adapted to respectively slide vertically in oppositely disposed corresponding guide members 58 on the inner surfaces of the sideplates 40 and 45. In use, the pinch roll 55 is held in engagement with the surface of the measuring roll 50 by gravity. A takeup drive roll 60 is mounted between the sideplates 40 and 45 rearwardly of the measuring roll 50 and is provided on the outer surface thereof with suitable frictional material 61 such as sandpaper, emery cloth or the like for providing improved frictional engagement with the towel, as will be described more fully hereinafter. Mounted between the sideplates 40 and 45 above the drive roll 60 is a soiled towel takeup roll 65 held in engagement with the drive roll 60 by gravity. Also disposed along the inner surfaces of each of the sideplates 40 and 45 are a rear guide member 66 and a front guide member 67 converging toward the top of the housing 10. In use, trunnions 68 respectively extending from the opposite ends of the takeup roll 65 are disposed between the guide members 56 and 67 for limiting the forward and rearward movements of the takeup roll 65 while permitting vertical movement of the takeup roll 65 as the diameter thereof increases with the accumulation of soiled towel thereon. More particularly, with the rear and front guide members 66 and 67 spaced apart as shown in FIG. 1, the

takeup roll 65 is free to roll over the upper surface of the takeup drive roll 60 from a normal position with the trunnions 68 in engagement with the rear guide 66 to a second forward position with the trunnions 68 in engagement with the front guide 67 as the diameter of the takeup roll 65 increases due to the winding of used towel thereon, the amount of travel that the takeup roll may roll from its normal first position to its second position is gradually reduced.

The foregoing arrangement which permits the takeup roll 65 to rotate over the surface of the takeup drive roll between first and second positions is provided to takeup any excess toweling that is drawn into the cabinet at the end of a particularly violent stopping action of the takeup drive roll 60. In other words, the takeup roll revolves in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 to takeup the used towel as the takeup drive roll 60 rotates in a clockwise direction during a dispensing operation. When the takeup drive roll 60 is suddenly stopped at the end of a dispensing operation, the momentum of the takeup roll 65 is absorbed by permitting the takeup roll 65 to rotate and roll forwardly over the granulated surface of the takeup drive roll 60 from the normal first position to the second position described above. Thus, the excess towel that is drawn into the cabinet instant to the suddenly stopped takeup drive roll 60 will be wound onto the takeup roll 65. During the next dispensing operation, the takeup drive roll 60 will again rotate in the clockwise direction and during the initial phase of the operation it will carry the takeup roll 65 from the second position in engagement with the front guide 67 to the normal first position in engagement with the rear guide 66 without winding any towel on the takeup roll 65. However, the normal amount of towel will be dispensed from the cabinet during the return movement of the takeup roll 65 from its second to its first position. Thus, the excess amount of towel that has been wound onto the takeup roll 65 resulting in a temporary shortening of the towel loop below the cabinet is replaced by the dispensing operation of the clean towel during the period in which the takeup roll 65 moves from its second position back to its first position without winding any of the used towel thereon. As soon as the takeup roll 65 againreaches the normal takeup position in engagement with rear guide-66, the process of taking up the used towel and winding it onto the takeup roll 65 will be resumed. It is apparent that, as the diameter of the used towel wound onto the takeup roll 65 increases, the distance that the takeup roll 123 must travel from its normal first position to its second position in order to wind up the same amount of towel is correspondingly decreased. It is for this reason that the rear guides 66 and the front guides 67 converge toward the top of the housing 10.

The measuring roll 50 is preferably smaller in diameter than the takeup drive roll 60. This permits rotation of the measuring roll 50 through more than one revolution during each revolution of the takeup drive roll 60 while at the same time dispensing substantially the same amount of clean towel from the cabinet as is taken up under control of the takeup drive roll during each dispensing operation for purposes best described in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 2,899,251. Supported by the sideplates 40 and 45, there is provided a roll shield, generally designated by the numeral 70, having two spaced-apart front and rear arcuate sections 71 and 72, respectively, conforming substantially to the counter of the measuring roll 50 and the takeup drive roll 60 and spaced a slight distance therebelow. The front edge of the roll shield is cut away at the center portion thereof to provide two spaced-apart towel guides 7 S and 76 (FIG. 3) and an upturned lip 77 to guide the clean towel as it is fed upwardly between the measuring roll 50 and the pinch roll 55 as will be described below. The roll shield 70., in addition to serving as a brace between the sideplates 40 and 45, also functions to divide the interior of the housing 10 into an upper soiled towel compartment and a lower clean towel compartment. Preferably, the entire dispensing unit or mechanism for the cabinet is demountably supported in the housing 10, as explained in detail in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 2,899,251.

In the lower end of the housing 10 is mounted a clean towel receptacle, generally designated by the numeral 100, and accommodating therein a roll 80 of clean towel. The receptacle 100 includes an upstanding front panel 101 forming a front wall of the receptacle and an upstanding rear panel 105 forming a rear wall of the receptacle 100. The lower ends of the front and rear panels 101 and 105 are curved inwardly toward each other and are connected together as at 106 to form a bottom wall for the receptacle 100 which extends below and between the bottom edges of the respective sidewalls 12 and 13. At the upper edge of the front panel 101 is a curved flange 102 spaced a slight distance below the flange 24 on the upper door 20 and cooperating therewith to define a slot or opening 85 into the housing for dispensing clean towel therefrom. The upper edge of the rear panel 105 is indented as at 107 to fonn a rounded edge or knee 108 and a rearwardly extending flange 109 having a rounded outer edge. The opposite side ends of the front and rear panels 101 and 105 are closed by a pair of side or end walls 110 and 112 which are spaced apart from each other a distance slightly greater than the normal width of a supply roll of clean towel supported in the receptacle 100.

These end walls 110 and 112 respectively conform in outline to the contours of the front and rear panels 101 and 105 and are secured to the inner surfaces thereof in any desired manner. The end walls 110 and 112 are respectively pivoted on supporting brackets 115 and 116 by means of pivot screws which pass outwardly through the sidewalls 110 and 112 and a portion of the brackets 115 and 116 and may be secured thereto by nuts, the supporting brackets 115 and 116 being respectively mounted on the inner surface of the sidewalls 12 and 13. Respectively formed at the upper edges of the end walls 110 and 112 are downwardly and outwardly directed flanges 111 andl 13. The flanges 111 and 113 are preferably rectangular in shape and extend substantially the entire length of the ends walls 110 and 112, integral therewith. Also, a pair of transversely curved finishing strips 118 and 119 may be provided on the lower edges of the respective sidewalls 12 and 13 and are turned inwardly to substantially close the spaces between the housing sidewalls 12 and 13 and the receptacle end walls 110 and 112.

The receptacle 100 is open at the upper end thereof but is provided with a cover or guard plate, generally designated by the numeral 120, which spans the distance between the end walls 110 and 112 and includes a flat rear portion 121 and a curved front portion 122. The rear edge of the rear portion 121 is pivotally secured to the upper surface of the flange 109 on the rear panel 105 by a hinge 123. Preferably, the rear portion 121 of the guard plate 120 is inclined upwardly from the flange 109, and the curved front portion 122 slopes downwardly from the forward end of the rear portion 121. The front edge of the guard plate 120 is bent back along the upper surface thereof to form a curved flange 124 defining a trough at the front end of the cover plate 120. Respectively depending from the side edges of the guard plate 120 are a pair of sideplates 125 and 126 which extend downwardly substantially to the bottom of the flange 124. At the lower edge of each of the sideplates 125 and 126 are respectively formed outwardly and downwardly directed flanges 127 and 128 disposed in use substantially parallel to the flanges 111 and 113 in overlapping relationship therewith as will be described more fully hereinafter.

The receptacle 100 is pivotally movable on the mounting brackets 1 l5 and 116 between an upstanding dispensing position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 and a forwardly tilted loading position extending outwardly beyond the front edges of the sidewalls 112 and 113 as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the front panel 101 of the receptacle 100 serves as a lower door for the housing 10 which is closed when the receptacle 100 is in the dispensing position thereof and is open when the receptacle 100 is in the loading position thereof. Also, the cover or guard plate 120 is pivotally movable on the hinge 123 between a closed configuration, as shown in FIG. 1 and as shown in phantom in FIG. 2, and an open configuration shown in solid line in FIG. 2. When the receptacle 100 is in the dispensing position thereof and the guard plate 120 is in the closed configuration thereof as illustrated in FIG. 1, the flange 109 at the upper edge of the rear panel 105 is interposed between the upper and lower legs 32 and 34 of the channel-shaped member 30 and is substantially parallel to the lower leg 34.

The operation of the improved towel-dispensing cabinet will now be described. In the ordinary process of loading the cabinet, the upper door 20 is unlocked by means of a conventional locking mechanism (not shown) and is then pivoted outwardly on the hinges 21 to the open position thereof shown in FIG. 2. The receptacle 100 is then moved to the loading position thereof shown in FIG. 2, whereupon the entire interior of the cabinet is then exposed. A supply roll of clean towel may then be placed in the receptacle so that the roll 80 will rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 as the outer web 81 of the towel is drawn upwardly. The outer web 81 of the clean towel is then fed from the roll 80 over the flange 124 on the receptacle cover 120 and thence to the measuring roll 50. In order to feed the outer web 81 of the clean towel between the surfaces of the measuring roll 50 and the pinch roll 55, the latter roll is raised upwardly in the guide members 58. The web 81 of the towel may then be passed over the surface of the measuring roll 50, then wrapped around the pinch roll 55. After the web 81 of the clean towel is wrapped around the pinch roll 55 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1, it is then pulled downwardly to form a depending loop 82 below the housing 10. The web is then passed upwardly behind the rear panel of the receptacle 100, there being sufficient space between the rear panel 105 and the rear wall 111 of the housing 10 to pass the web of towel therebetween and back into the interior of the housing 10. The return path of the web 81 to the interior of the housing extends between the channel-shaped member 30 and the flanged upper end of the rear panel 105 and thence to the takeup roll 65. The channel-shaped member 30 and the rear panel 105 cooperate to define a sinuous portion of this return path with the knee 108, the rounded end 35 of the leg 34, the rounded end of the flanges 109, and the rounded end 33 of the upper leg 32 defining a plurality of breaker or smoothing edges contacting the soiled towel in the return path and smoothing it to facilitate rewinding on the takeup roll 65.

When the loading operation is started, it is adv' ble to lift the soiled towel takeup roll 65 out of engagement with the takeup drive roll 60. The web 81 of the clean t we! is then pulled upwardly and manually wound in a count rclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 around the takeup roll 65. When the web 81 of the clean towel is thus securely wrapped around the takeup roll 65, the latter roll is lowered and placed on the takeup drive roll 60 in the normal first position with the trunnions of the takeup roll-65 in engagement with the rear guides 66, as previously described. The amount of towel fonning the loop below the cabinet is determined at this time and will remain substantially constant as the towel is subsequently dispensed and taken up by the dispensing mechanism supported in the housing. The receptacle 100 may now be moved to the dispensing position thereof and the upper door 20 may be lowered to the closed position thereof and locked. It should be noted, that when the receptacle 100 is returned to the dispensing position thereof, the knee 108 and the flange 109 will press the web 81 of towel in the return path thereof against the smoothing edges 33 and 35 so that the used or soiled towel passing to the takeup roll 65 will be flat and free of wrinkles and folds. Also, the knee 108 and the smoothing flange 109 cooperate with the smoothing edges 33 and 35 to provide a reversed bend in the soiled towel return path and to function as a towel braketo prevent used towel from being pulled out of the housing from the takeup roll 65. The measuring roll 50 and the takeup drive roll 60 are interconnected (by means not shown) to effect simultaneous rotation thereof. Further, appropriate control means are provided in the housing 10 for controlling the rotation of the measuring roll 50 and takeup drive roll6 0. This control means limits rotation of the measuring roll 50 to a predetermined distance for each dispensing operation and includes time-delay means to lock the measuring roll 50 against further rotation until a predetermined time has elapsed. The construction and operation of all of this connecting and controlling apparatus is disclosed in detail in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 2,899,251.

When a user pulls down on the web 8l of a clean towel forming a loop 82 exposed in front of and below the housing, the downward pull thus applied causes the pinch roll 55 to revolve in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 and simultaneously to press down on the surface of the measuring roll 50 with the towel web 8] therebetween, thereby causing the measuring roll 50 to revolve in a clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 1. Due to the interconnection between the measuring roll 50 and the takeup drive roll 60, the latter roll is simultaneously rotated in a clockwise direction. Since the takeup roll 65 is resting on the upper surface of the takeup drive roll 60, it rotates in a counterclockwise direction to take up substantially the same amount of towel as is dispensed from the supply roll 80 from the measuring roll 50 during each dispensing operation. The control mechanism limits the length of towel which may be dispensed in a single operation to a predetermined amount and locks the dispensing apparatus against further dispensing until a predetermined time has elapsed after which another dispensing operation may be undergone.

It has been found that, in certain applications of the dispensing cabinet of this invention, the towel 80 accumulates an unusual amount of particulate matter through use. For example, in meat packing plants, the soiled towel carried particles into the housing 10, which particles upon being loosened by the smoothing edges 33, 35, 108 and 109, sometimes fall into the receptacle 100 and onto the clean towel 80 and there promote bacterial action that may contaminate the clean towel. in order to prevent such contamination, the cover or guard plate 120 has been provided in this invention. It will be noted that, when the receptacle 100 is in the dispensing position thereof, as indicated in FIG. 1, the takeup roll 65, the smoothing edge 33, and the portion of the soiled towel return path therebetween overlie the open-top clean towel receptacle 100. Further, it will be noted that a gap exists between the rear edge of the roll shield 70 and the smoothing edge 33 which permits the passage of particles therethrough from the smoothing edges or directly from the soiled towel into the receptacle 100. Therefore, the cover or guide plate 120 has been provided to bridge this gap and to substantially close the open top of the receptacle 100. When the guide plate 120 is in the closed configuration thereof, the flanges 127 and 128 thereon directly overlie the flanges 111 and 113 on the upper edge of the receptacle end walls 110 and 112 so that the portion of the receptacle between the flange 124 of the cover 120 and the rear panel 105 is completely closed to access by particulate matter from above the receptacle 100. More specifically, particles falling form the soiled towel return path or from the smoothing edges will fall upon the rear portion 121 of the guard plate 120. Because of the incline of this rear portion 121, particles will tend to roll off the rear edge thereof and outside the receptacle 100. Should any particles, through vibration of the dispensing cabinet, find their wayto the for ward portion 122 of the cover plate 120, they are trapped in the trough formed by the flange 124 and are prevented from falling into the receptacle 100. Furthermore, any particles which may fall from the side edges of the guard plate 120 are prevented from entering the receptacle 100 by the sideplates 125 and 126 and the flanges 127 and 128, the latter flanges respectively overlapping the flanges Ill and 113 on the receptacle end walls and cooperating therewith to divert particles to the exterior of the receptacle 100.

When the receptacle 100 is in the dispensing position thereof shown in FIG. I, the cover plate 120 is prevented by the roll shield 70 from pivoting to the open configuration thereof, the roll shield 70 also serving to prevent the cover plate 120 from coming in contact with the measuring roll 50 and the takeup drive roll 60 and thereby interfering with the operation thereof or contaminating clean towel in contact with the measuring roll 50. When the roll of clean towel has been exhausted, the receptacle may be pivoted to the loading position thereof as shown in FIG. 2 and the upper door 20 may be moved to the open position shown in FIG. 2. In this position, the cover plate may be cleansed of any particles which may have accumulated thereon, after which the cover plate 120 may be moved to the open configuration thereof to facilitate loading a new clean towel supply into the receptacle 100. After removal of the soiled towel and insertion of new clean towel, the receptacle may be returned to the closed con-.

figuration thereof indicated in phantom in FIG. 2, whereupon the clean towel is rethreaded through the dispensing and takeup apparatus and the receptacle 100 is retumed to the dispensing position thereof.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been provided an improved towel-dispensing cabinet of the continuous type with receptacle guard means for preventing particles from falling into the receptacle from the soiled towel return path and thereby contaminating the clean towel supply.

More particularly, there has been provided a receptacle cover or guide plate of simple and economical construction mounted on the upper edge of the rear panel of the receptacle and shaped and arranged to substantially close the open top of the receptacle. Further, there has been provided a receptacle guard plate which is movable between open and closed configurations to facilitate the loading of clean towel into the receptacle. In addition, the cover is easily accessible for cleaning when the receptacle is disposed in the loading position thereof to further insure the maintenance of sanitary conditions within the clean towel receptacle.

In addition, there have been provided cooperating flanges on the upper edges of the receptacle sidewalls and the lower edges of the guard plate sidewalls to insure that any particles which may fall from the sides of the cover plate will be deflected by the flanges outside the receptacle.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A towel dispenser of the continuous type comprising a housing having an opening therein and having associated therewith a loop of towel that extends along an exit path through the opening to an exposed position accessible to a user and thence along a return path into the housing, an opentop receptacle mounted in said housing for accommodating therein a supply of clean towel, towel-dispensing apparatus mounted in said housing for dispensing clean towel from said receptacle through said opening into the loop along the exit path when the accessible portion of the loop is pulled by a user, loop takeup means mounted in said housing and coupled to said dispensing apparatus for retracting and storing soiled towel from the return path, said takeup means and a portion of the return path overlying a portion of said open-top receptacle, a receptacle guard mounted on said receptacle at one end thereof adjacent to said takeup means, said receptacle guard and said one end of said receptacle cooperating to prevent the passage of soil particles therebetween, said'receptacle guard extending upwardly across theopen top of said receptacle from said one end toward the opposite end thereof and completely laterally spanning the open top of said receptacle thereby completely to close at least the portion of said receptacle underlying said takeup means and the adjacent portion of the return path, whereby particles which may be carried by the soiled towel along the return path to said takeup means are prevented from falling into said receptacle and contaminating the clean towel therein.

2. The towel dispenser set forth in claim 1, and further including a curved flange integral with the free end of said receptacle guard and bent back above the upper surface thereof to form a trough, whereby any particles which may fall upon said guard from said soiled towel are prevented by said trough from falling from the free end of said guard.

3. A towel dispenser of the continuous type comprising a housing having an opening therein and having associated therewith a loop of towel that extends along an exit path through the opening to an exposed position accessible to a user and thence along a return path into the housing, an opentop receptacle mounted in said housing for accommodating therein a supply of clean towel, said receptacle being movable between a dispensing position within said housing and a loading position extending outwardly from said housing, toweldispensing apparatus mounted in said housing for dispensing clean towel from said receptacle through said opening into the loop along the exit path when the accessible portion of the loop is pulled by a user, loop takeup means mounted in said housing and coupled to said dispensing apparatus for retracting and storing soiled towel from the return path, said takeup means and a portion of the return path overlying a portion of said open-top receptacle, a receptacle cover mounted in said housing and disposed in use in closed configuration between said takeup means and the open top of said receptacle when said receptacle is in the dispensing position thereof, said receptacle cover being hingedly mounted on one end of said receptacle adjacent to the open top thereof and adjacent to said takeup means, said receptacle cover and said one end of said receptacle cooperating to prevent the passage of soil particles therebetween, said receptacle cover extending from said one end of said receptacle across the open top thereof substantially to the opposite end thereof and completely laterally spanning the open top of said receptacle thereby completely to cover at least the portion of said receptacle underlying said takeup means and the adjacent portion of the return path when said cover is in the closed configuration thereof, and means for moving said cover between said closed configuration and an open configuration when said receptacle is in the loading position thereof to facilitate the loading of clean towel thereinto, whereby when said cover is in the closed configuration thereof andsaid receptacle is in the dispensing position thereof particles which may be carried by the soiled towel along the return path to said takeup means are prevented from falling into said receptacle and contaminating the clean towel therein.

4. The towel dispenser set forth in claim 3, wherein said receptacle is pivotally movable between a generally upright dispensing position within said housing and a tilted loading position extending outwardly from the front of said housing.

5. A towel dispenser of the continuous type comprising a housing having an opening therein and having associated therewith a loop of towel that extends along an exit path through the opening to an exposed position accessible to a user and thence along a return path into the housing, an opentop receptacle including a generally U-shaped panel forming front and rear and bottom walls of said receptacle and being closed at the opposite ends thereof by a pair of upstanding end walls, two inclined flanges respectively integral with and extending downwardly and outwardly from the upper edge of each of said receptacle end walls, a plurality of smoothing members carried by said housing adjacent to the upper rear edge of said panel and cooperating therewith to define a sinuous portion of the return path for engaging and smoothing the soiled towel, towel-dispensing apparatus mounted in said housing for dispensing clean towel from said receptacle through said opening into the loop along the exit path when the accessible portion of the loop is pulled by a user, loop takeup means mounted in said housing and coupled to said dispensing apparatus for retracting and storing soiled towel from the return path, said takeup means and a portion of the return path overlying a portion of said open-top receptacle, a shield member mounted in said housing adjacent to said dispensing apparatus and said takeup means and shaped and arranged to substantially separate said dispensing apparatus and said takeup means from each other and from said receptal0 cle, and a receptacle guard including a top panel spanning said receptacle end walls and a pair of opposed side panels respectively depending from the opposite side edges of said top panel substantially parallel to each other, said receptacle guard being disposed in use between said takeup means and the open top of said receptacle with said side panels being respectively substantially in alignment with said receptacle end walls, and a pair of flanges respectively integral with and extending outwardly and downwardly from the bottom edges of said side panels and disposed in use in overlapping relationship with the flanges on said receptacle end walls, said receptacle guard being connected to one wall of said U-shaped panel and cooperating therewith to prevent the passage of soil particles therebetween thereby completely to close at least that portion of the open top of said receptacle adjacent to said smoothing members and underlying said takeup means and the adjacent portion of the return path, whereby particles which may be carried by the soiled towel along the return path to said takeup means and loosened by said smoothing members are prevented from falling into said receptacle and contaminating the clean towel therein.

6. The towel dispenser set forth in claim 5, wherein one of said smoothing members is formed on the upper rear end of said U-shaped panel and defines first and second smoothing edges for said soiled towel, another of said smoothing members being mounted on said casing adjacent to said one smoothing member and defining third and fourth smoothing edges interleaved with said first and second smoothing edges to define a sinuous portion of the return path for said soiled towel.

7. The towel dispenser set forth in claim 5, wherein said receptacle guard is mounted on the rear wall of said U-shaped panel and extends forwardly therefrom and terminates in a forward end, the forward end of said receptacle cover being spaced slightly from the front wall of said receptacle to define an exit space therebetjween for said clean towel, the rear end of said receptacle guard being inclined upwardly from the rear wall of said receptacle and the forward end of said receptacle guard being inclined downwardly toward the front wall of said receptacle, and further including a flange integral with the front edge of said receptacle guard and bent back above the upper surface thereof to form a trough, whereby any particles which may fall onto said receptacle guard from said soiled towel tend to move downwardly along the rear portion thereof and away from said xit space, and whereby any particles which may move to the front portion of said receptacle guard are trapped by said trough and thereby prevented from falling through said exit space 8. A towel dispense of the continuous type comprising a housing having an opening therein and having associated therewith a loop of towel that extends along an exit path through the opening to an exposed position accessible to a user and thence along a return path into the housing, an opentop receptacle including a generally U-shaped panel forming front and rear and bottom walls of said receptacle and being closed at the opposite ends thereof by a pair of upstanding end walls, two inclined flanges respectively integral with and extending downwardly and outwardly from the upper edge of each of said receptacle end walls, said receptacle being movable between a dispensing position within said housing and a loading position extending outwardly from said housing, a plurality of smoothing members carried by said housing adjacent to the upper rear edge of said panel and cooperating therewith to define a sinuous portion of the return path for engaging and smoothing the soiled towel, towel-dispensing apparatus mounted in said housing for dispensing clean towel from said receptacle through said opening into the loop along the exit path when the accessible portion of the loop is pulled by a user, loop takeup means mounted in said housing and coupled to said dispensing apparatus for retracting and storing soiled towel from the return path, said takeup means and a portion of the return path overlying a portion of said open-top receptacle, a shield member mounted in said housing adjacent to said dispensing apparatus and said takeup means and shaped and arranged to substantially separate said dispensing apparatus and said takeup means from each other and from said receptacle, and a receptacle guard including a top panel spanning said receptacle end walls and a pair of opposed side panels respectively depending from the opposite side edges of said top panel substantially parallel to each other, said receptacle guard being mounted in said housing and disposed in use in a closed configuration between said takeup means and the open top of said receptacle with said side panels being respectively substantially in alignment with said receptacle end walls when said receptacle is in the dispensing position thereof, and a pair of flanges respectively integral with and extending outwardly and downwardly from the bottom edges of said side panels and disposed in use in overlapping relationship with the flanges on said receptacle end walls, said receptacle guard being connected to one wall of said U-shaped panel and cooperating therewith to prevent the passage of soil particles therebetween thereby completely to close at least that portion of the open end of said receptacle adjacent to said smoothing members and underlying said takeup means and the adjacent portion of the return path when said receptacle guard is in the closed configuration thereof, and means for moving said cover between said closed configuration and an open configuration when said receptacle is in the loading position thereof to facilitate the loading of clean towel thereinto, whereby when said guard is in the closed configuration thereof and said receptacle is in the dispensing position thereof particles which may be carried by the soiled towel along the return path to said takeup means and loosened by said smoothing members are prevented from falling into said receptacle and contaminating the clean towel therein.

9. A towel dispenser of the continuous type comprising a housing having an opening therein and having associated therewith a loop of towel that extends along an exit path through the opening to an exposed position accessible to a user and thence along a return path into the housing, an opentop receptacle including a generally U-shaped panel forming front and rear and bottom walls of said receptacle and being closed at the opposite ends thereof by a pair of upstanding end walls, two inclined flanges respectively integral with and extending downwardly and outwardly from the upper edge of each of said receptacle end walls, towel-dispensing apparatus mounted in said housing for dispensing clean towel from said receptacle through said opening into the loop along the exit path when the accessible portion of the loop is pulled by a user, loop takeup means mounted in said housing and coupled to said dispensing apparatus for retracting and storing soiled towel from the return path, said takeup means and a portion of the return path overlying a portion of said open-top receptacle, and a receptacle guard including a top panel spanning said receptacle end walls and a pair of opposed side panels respectively depending from the opposite side edges of said top panel substantially parallel to each other, said receptacle guard being disposed in use between said takeup means and the open top of said receptacle with said side panels being respectively substantially in alignment with said receptacle end walls, and a pair of flanges respectively integral with and extending outwardly and downwardly from the bottom edges of said side panels and disposed in use in overlapping relationship with the flanges on said receptacle end walls, said receptacle guard being connected to one wall of said U-shaped panel and cooperating therewith the prevent the passage of soil particles therebetween thereby completely to close at least that portion of the open top of said receptacle underlying said takeup means and the adjacent portion of the return path, whereby particles which may be carried by the soiled towel along the return path to said takeup means are prevented from falling into said receptacle and contaminating the clean towel therein. 

1. A towel dispenser of the continuous type comprising a housing having an opening therein and having associated therewith a loop of towel that extends along an exit path through the opening to an exposed position accessible to a user and thence along a return path into the housing, an open-top receptacle mounted in said housing for accommodating therein a supply of clean towel, towel-dispensing apparatus mounted in said housing for dispensing clean towel from said receptacle through said opening into the loop along the exit path when the accessible portion of the loop is pulled by a user, loop takeup means mounted in said housing and coupled to said dispensing apparatus for retracting and storing soiled towel from the return path, said takeup means and a portion of the return path overlying a portion of said open-top receptacle, a receptacle guard mounted on said receptacle at one end thereof adjacent to said takeup means, said receptacle guard and said one end of said receptacle cooperating to prevent the passage of soil particles therebetween, said receptacle guard extending upwardly across the open top of said receptacle from said one end toward the opposite end thereof and completely laterally spanning the open top of said receptacle thereby completely to close at least the portion of said receptacle underlying said takeup means and the adjacent portion of the return path, whereby particles which may be carried by the soiled towel along the return path to said takeup means are prevented from falling into said receptacle and contaminating the clean towel therein.
 2. The towel dispenser set forth in claim 1, and further including a curved flange integral with the free end of said receptacle guard and bent back above the upper surface thereof to form a trough, whereby any particles which may fall upon said guard from said soiled towel are prevented by said trough from falling from the free end of said guard.
 3. A towel dispenser of the contiNuous type comprising a housing having an opening therein and having associated therewith a loop of towel that extends along an exit path through the opening to an exposed position accessible to a user and thence along a return path into the housing, an open-top receptacle mounted in said housing for accommodating therein a supply of clean towel, said receptacle being movable between a dispensing position within said housing and a loading position extending outwardly from said housing, towel-dispensing apparatus mounted in said housing for dispensing clean towel from said receptacle through said opening into the loop along the exit path when the accessible portion of the loop is pulled by a user, loop takeup means mounted in said housing and coupled to said dispensing apparatus for retracting and storing soiled towel from the return path, said takeup means and a portion of the return path overlying a portion of said open-top receptacle, a receptacle cover mounted in said housing and disposed in use in closed configuration between said takeup means and the open top of said receptacle when said receptacle is in the dispensing position thereof, said receptacle cover being hingedly mounted on one end of said receptacle adjacent to the open top thereof and adjacent to said takeup means, said receptacle cover and said one end of said receptacle cooperating to prevent the passage of soil particles therebetween, said receptacle cover extending from said one end of said receptacle across the open top thereof substantially to the opposite end thereof and completely laterally spanning the open top of said receptacle thereby completely to cover at least the portion of said receptacle underlying said takeup means and the adjacent portion of the return path when said cover is in the closed configuration thereof, and means for moving said cover between said closed configuration and an open configuration when said receptacle is in the loading position thereof to facilitate the loading of clean towel thereinto, whereby when said cover is in the closed configuration thereof and said receptacle is in the dispensing position thereof particles which may be carried by the soiled towel along the return path to said takeup means are prevented from falling into said receptacle and contaminating the clean towel therein.
 4. The towel dispenser set forth in claim 3, wherein said receptacle is pivotally movable between a generally upright dispensing position within said housing and a tilted loading position extending outwardly from the front of said housing.
 5. A towel dispenser of the continuous type comprising a housing having an opening therein and having associated therewith a loop of towel that extends along an exit path through the opening to an exposed position accessible to a user and thence along a return path into the housing, an open-top receptacle including a generally U-shaped panel forming front and rear and bottom walls of said receptacle and being closed at the opposite ends thereof by a pair of upstanding end walls, two inclined flanges respectively integral with and extending downwardly and outwardly from the upper edge of each of said receptacle end walls, a plurality of smoothing members carried by said housing adjacent to the upper rear edge of said panel and cooperating therewith to define a sinuous portion of the return path for engaging and smoothing the soiled towel, towel-dispensing apparatus mounted in said housing for dispensing clean towel from said receptacle through said opening into the loop along the exit path when the accessible portion of the loop is pulled by a user, loop takeup means mounted in said housing and coupled to said dispensing apparatus for retracting and storing soiled towel from the return path, said takeup means and a portion of the return path overlying a portion of said open-top receptacle, a shield member mounted in said housing adjacent to said dispensing apparatus and said takeup means and shaped and arranged to substantially separate said Dispensing apparatus and said takeup means from each other and from said receptacle, and a receptacle guard including a top panel spanning said receptacle end walls and a pair of opposed side panels respectively depending from the opposite side edges of said top panel substantially parallel to each other, said receptacle guard being disposed in use between said takeup means and the open top of said receptacle with said side panels being respectively substantially in alignment with said receptacle end walls, and a pair of flanges respectively integral with and extending outwardly and downwardly from the bottom edges of said side panels and disposed in use in overlapping relationship with the flanges on said receptacle end walls, said receptacle guard being connected to one wall of said U-shaped panel and cooperating therewith to prevent the passage of soil particles therebetween thereby completely to close at least that portion of the open top of said receptacle adjacent to said smoothing members and underlying said takeup means and the adjacent portion of the return path, whereby particles which may be carried by the soiled towel along the return path to said takeup means and loosened by said smoothing members are prevented from falling into said receptacle and contaminating the clean towel therein.
 6. The towel dispenser set forth in claim 5, wherein one of said smoothing members is formed on the upper rear end of said U-shaped panel and defines first and second smoothing edges for said soiled towel, another of said smoothing members being mounted on said casing adjacent to said one smoothing member and defining third and fourth smoothing edges interleaved with said first and second smoothing edges to define a sinuous portion of the return path for said soiled towel.
 7. The towel dispenser set forth in claim 5, wherein said receptacle guard is mounted on the rear wall of said U-shaped panel and extends forwardly therefrom and terminates in a forward end, the forward end of said receptacle cover being spaced slightly from the front wall of said receptacle to define an exit space therebetween for said clean towel, the rear end of said receptacle guard being inclined upwardly from the rear wall of said receptacle and the forward end of said receptacle guard being inclined downwardly toward the front wall of said receptacle, and further including a flange integral with the front edge of said receptacle guard and bent back above the upper surface thereof to form a trough, whereby any particles which may fall onto said receptacle guard from said soiled towel tend to move downwardly along the rear portion thereof and away from said exit space, and whereby any particles which may move to the front portion of said receptacle guard are trapped by said trough and thereby prevented from falling through said exit space.
 8. A towel dispenser of the continuous type comprising a housing having an opening therein and having associated therewith a loop of towel that extends along an exit path through the opening to an exposed position accessible to a user and thence along a return path into the housing, an open-top receptacle including a generally U-shaped panel forming front and rear and bottom walls of said receptacle and being closed at the opposite ends thereof by a pair of upstanding end walls, two inclined flanges respectively integral with and extending downwardly and outwardly from the upper edge of each of said receptacle end walls, said receptacle being movable between a dispensing position within said housing and a loading position extending outwardly from said housing, a plurality of smoothing members carried by said housing adjacent to the upper rear edge of said panel and cooperating therewith to define a sinuous portion of the return path for engaging and smoothing the soiled towel, towel-dispensing apparatus mounted in said housing for dispensing clean towel from said receptacle through said opening into the loop along the exit path when the accEssible portion of the loop is pulled by a user, loop takeup means mounted in said housing and coupled to said dispensing apparatus for retracting and storing soiled towel from the return path, said takeup means and a portion of the return path overlying a portion of said open-top receptacle, a shield member mounted in said housing adjacent to said dispensing apparatus and said takeup means and shaped and arranged to substantially separate said dispensing apparatus and said takeup means from each other and from said receptacle, and a receptacle guard including a top panel spanning said receptacle end walls and a pair of opposed side panels respectively depending from the opposite side edges of said top panel substantially parallel to each other, said receptacle guard being mounted in said housing and disposed in use in a closed configuration between said takeup means and the open top of said receptacle with said side panels being respectively substantially in alignment with said receptacle end walls when said receptacle is in the dispensing position thereof, and a pair of flanges respectively integral with and extending outwardly and downwardly from the bottom edges of said side panels and disposed in use in overlapping relationship with the flanges on said receptacle end walls, said receptacle guard being connected to one wall of said U-shaped panel and cooperating therewith to prevent the passage of soil particles therebetween thereby completely to close at least that portion of the open end of said receptacle adjacent to said smoothing members and underlying said takeup means and the adjacent portion of the return path when said receptacle guard is in the closed configuration thereof, and means for moving said cover between said closed configuration and an open configuration when said receptacle is in the loading position thereof to facilitate the loading of clean towel thereinto, whereby when said guard is in the closed configuration thereof and said receptacle is in the dispensing position thereof particles which may be carried by the soiled towel along the return path to said takeup means and loosened by said smoothing members are prevented from falling into said receptacle and contaminating the clean towel therein.
 9. A towel dispenser of the continuous type comprising a housing having an opening therein and having associated therewith a loop of towel that extends along an exit path through the opening to an exposed position accessible to a user and thence along a return path into the housing, an open-top receptacle including a generally U-shaped panel forming front and rear and bottom walls of said receptacle and being closed at the opposite ends thereof by a pair of upstanding end walls, two inclined flanges respectively integral with and extending downwardly and outwardly from the upper edge of each of said receptacle end walls, towel-dispensing apparatus mounted in said housing for dispensing clean towel from said receptacle through said opening into the loop along the exit path when the accessible portion of the loop is pulled by a user, loop takeup means mounted in said housing and coupled to said dispensing apparatus for retracting and storing soiled towel from the return path, said takeup means and a portion of the return path overlying a portion of said open-top receptacle, and a receptacle guard including a top panel spanning said receptacle end walls and a pair of opposed side panels respectively depending from the opposite side edges of said top panel substantially parallel to each other, said receptacle guard being disposed in use between said takeup means and the open top of said receptacle with said side panels being respectively substantially in alignment with said receptacle end walls, and a pair of flanges respectively integral with and extending outwardly and downwardly from the bottom edges of said side panels and disposed in use in overlapping relationship with the flanges on said receptacle end walls, said receptacle guard being connected to one Wall of said U-shaped panel and cooperating therewith to prevent the passage of soil particles therebetween thereby completely to close at least that portion of the open top of said receptacle underlying said takeup means and the adjacent portion of the return path, whereby particles which may be carried by the soiled towel along the return path to said takeup means are prevented from falling into said receptacle and contaminating the clean towel therein. 